WBC and the Price is Right

I’ll bet those two things have never been written in the same sentence before. But there’s a first for everything.

I’m back in Los Angeles to help prepare for this weekend’s semis and finals of the WBC, so the updates from Camelback Ranch might be a little more irregular this week (though I know we set a Cactus League single-game attendance record today). And at the present time, the US and Puerto Rico are tied, 3-3 in the top of the 5th of an elimination game, so here’s hoping we can pull out the victory and take part in the fesitivities at Dodger Stadium. Just seeing the way the stadium looks right now, I can tell this is going to be a special event with the whole world watching and hopefully you’ll all come out and be a part of it.

As for the Price is Right, you might recall that at the Community Caravan in February, several current and former Dodgers took part in a taping of the show and it airs TOMORROW (Wednesday). Check your local listings for the team’s big showcase showdown!

Good Evening, Bon Noir my ITD friends and faithful. Hope you all had a great St Patricks Day!!! I am looking forward to the regular season and blogging with you.
GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Evening jhall!!!! It is so good to see you!!! I just heard about the game. I was watching up until this last inning and then I got involved in a conversation with my daughter. How have you been? Busy I am assuming. It’s good to see OSU in the NCAA tourney.

Bonjour Nelle’!!!!! Merci!!! Good to see you too, as always. I look forward to our chats. Yep, been pretty busy lately. That is a good thing however. I was very happy that the Buckeyes made the dance. Again Thanks. How’s the baseball school going? Also, how’s your son doing with his pitching. I think of you and your family often even though I can’t blog as much.

I was glad to see OSU, and I have them picked for to get to at least the Elite 8 (maybe even final 4), I believe, in my bracket challenge. I had to pick Memphis to go to the final – sorry – used to live there and watch the Tigers when they were nobodys. I have Memphis and ASU in the final just for fun. My Ethieraholicism crept through just a tad – LOL!!!

The academy is going great. Thanks for asking. Michael is doing great. He had a comeback win last week as a closing pitcher. Came in for the last three innings down 7-0 in a visiting park, and the team came back and won 10-7. He pitched last Saturday as a starter and pitched three great innings, but they lost the game 4-2. All of these teams were top notch teams where most are ranked. Now, they start league tomorrow and these are the games that count for playoff purposes. These other games were very similar to spring training and just trying to find that team chemistry.

Now for Dodger baseball – what do think, what to think……just scary at times, especially these last couple of days where the pitchers are just getting hammered.

Yep Trumom, I agree. Hitters are starting to catch up to the pitchers now. The next couple of weeks will really tell about our pitching staff. Right now it is our biggest concern. I am not worried about our offense and everyday lineup (as long as JoJo doesn’t continue his man-crush on Phew), however I am not quite as optimistic about our pitching. Pitching and defense wins championships. Right Dad/Eric/Chevelle/Ward!!!!?

I was just handed another bracket challenge from my husband. I guess VSA (the academy) is doing one now. I even have my class doing it this year, more for geography purposes really. Each group represents a region. Last year, it was during spring break so I couldn’t get it started right.

Michael’s getting there….jhall – still has some head issues when he gets frustrated, but he’s got some good coaches working with him. Michael’s personal pitching coach (Ben) just got hired as a bullpen coach for the Modesto Nuts, the single A affiliate for the Rockies. Ben’s one of the coaches that works at the academy as well.

Yep Trumom, I agree. This next week will be very interesting as far as our pitching. Pedro would be OK with me for maybe 2M and incentives based on innings pitched. Otherwise, I’m not interested. He wants to be paid as a Cy Young winner. However, he is a Former Cy Young winner. And I emphasize FORMER!!! A few years and injuries from that status.

Wow Nell’, that is great. Sounds like he is getting the right coaching. Afterall, didn’t we all know everything when we were teens? I know it took me 35 ears to forget everything I knew when I was 17 when I knew everything. LOL!!!!!!!!!

That would be great jhall. Maddux certainly isn’t any worse than these they’ve been throwing out there lately. And like you said, just the benefit of having him in the dugout/bullpen with the young pitchers.

Hi ITD. Today is my last day at Camelback. I feel a little sad. Everyone here in Glendale AZ has been fantastic. I am writing my final thoughts on Camelback in my blog. I don’t want to bore anyone on ITD with my account. Those who are interested: http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com

I’m sure he is the pitching coach……I saw him interviewed the other day. Maybe we could give the Giants Popupaholic and our invited pitchers to the Giants for one of their young pitchers………I’d take Cain or Lowry.

Cain …..he needs a new environment. The gnats don’t give him enough run support. Lowry has already been broken………he’s cute, but he can stay with the gnats. I don’t think he will make it an entire season.

oops, jhallwally, I haven’t posted my final thoughts yet. Will be done before the night is over. I’m studying for a test at the same time…hmm studying or writing on my blog, which is more interesting?? :-)

Evening everyone!
Jhall. No, she was telling me she never did go to Vero.
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That was exciting watching USA win. I was on the phone with a friend at the time the game was going and she was rooting for Puerto Rico. USA! USA! USA!
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As the metrolink train approaches Union Station, I always look back to where our stadium is. Today I was thinking “In a few days I will see you my beloved “Lady of Chavez Ravine!”.
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Emmahttp://crzblue.mlblogs.com

OK, Goodnight, I’m really going now. Don’t try and stop me. If I walk out of here I’m not coming back. I really mean it this time. LOL!!!! How many times have you gals heard that one? LMTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting that Emma should mention being able to see Dodger Stadium while on the train. I took a round trip to Ventura/Ojai and then back again via Amtrak this past Saturday. What was interesting is that the lights were on at the stadium Saturday night, and, for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why.

How in the world did Team USA pull that one out last night? I went to bed certain that ESPN’s website had said the game was over and Puerto Rico won 5-3, only to be very confused by this morning’s reports. Regardless, I’m glad – go USA!http://ledzeb99.mlblogs.com

I’m recovered. I spent most of Sat, Sun and Mon with a shovel, an axe and a hatchet. We had a 30-foot pine tree die on us last year and the guys who cut it down ground the stump and roots to just under the surface. It looked nice, until you try to grow anything in its place. I haven’t worked 3 days in a row like that in years and my body told me about it.

Haven’t been on ITD LateNight for a while as you know. I started reading a book that Matt bought me for Christmas, “The Children of Hurin” by JRR Tolkien. It’s one of his many unfinished works that his son Christopher has edited and completed. I think I’ll continue to collect and read more of his stuff.

Just watched Price is Right here in Arizona. I guess it was an hour earlier than in LA. I decided that I would have liked that Dodger showcases. I’m checking out of the hotel in one hour. Good bye Camelback until next year. Read about my experiences http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com

Jhall! Thank you so much!!
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Diggie, maybe they were getting ready for the WBC!
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I got up late because of being on the computer until very late. Missed the first and second train so I thought I could make the third one but missed it by two minutes. Then while waiting at Union Station, would you believe I missed the next one because I was too busy reading the L.A. Times! I am on train right now at what? 10:14 AM.
.Too much time between trains once the morning rush is over.
Emmahttp://crzblue.mlblogs.com/

Wow!!! You have been busy. I am glad you recovered nicely :) The book sounds interesting. I have a stack I am still trying to get through myself ……..anywhere from my James Patterson to my Dodger History books. No, I haven’t noticed that you haven’t been on ITD late night – LOL!!!!!

Yep, they could be getting ready for the WBC, but it doesn’t seem feasible they’d be doing it at 10 p.m. It’s not the first time I’ve seen the lights on during the off-season. Eric’s explanation is the best.

good late morning ITD!
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FINALLY i have a day to relax! well.. a little at least.. haha! I really really needed a day to rest though! how is everyone doing?
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I am SOOO excited that the 2009 season is so close!!

I think he got some good things out of it, but he was very glad to be home!

This just in: Joe Beimel is no longer available to us.

“Nationals signed LHP Joe Beimel, who had been with the Dodgers, to a one-year contract.

The Washington Post says Beimel will get $2 million. It’s a very good fit, as the Nats were preparing to go without a lefty reliever with Mike Hinckley struggling this spring. Hinckley will definitely head to Triple-A now. This leaves Will Ohman as the lone remaining reliable left-handed reliever available.”http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernews.aspx?sport=MLB

I never heard of him before. Before finding him in the baseball reference, I would have said he was an actor. From looking at the stats, he strikes out about 1 per inning and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is about 2 to 1. Not great, not terrible but better than most of the flotsam throwing the ball for us this spring. He’s been in hitter’s parks, so we can take that into account. We could use another lefty in the pen.

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